Lucknow: Union Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh on Tuesday said he will request Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav to recommend a CBI probe into irregularities in seven districts of the state under MGNREGA scheme.

"Earlier I had made same request to the then Chief Minister Ms Mayawati for CBI probe into MGNREGA in Sonebhadra, Balrampur, Gonda, Sant Kabirnagar and three other districts, and not to give protection to those who were involved into it, but she did not pay heed to it," Ramesh said in Lucknow.

Noting that misuse of funds in these districts had surfaced in a probe by the state government only, Ramesh said he will now request to Akhilesh to give nod for CBI inquiry into the matter.

Ramesh also insisted on social audits by the respective states to ensure transparency in use of MGNREGA funds. He said for effective implementation of the job scheme, the Centre has introduced CAG audit of funds meant it, and report will be available by January 31 next year.

Ramesh said for the first time, the gram panchayats will be made to get MNREGA funds audited by a chartered accountant. The states have been asked to pick up 12 gram panchayats from every district which have reported maximum spending of MGNREGA funds, and get it audited by a chartered accountant.